Today is 85th birthday of Japan's Emperor Akihito. As a Japanese, I sincerely express my best wishes on this day. As His Majesty the Emperor is scheduled to abdicate the throne on Apr. 30th, 2019, this is the last opportunity for His Majesty to celebrate the birthday as the Emperor.
In the press conference held at Shakkyo-no-Ma(Drawing Room) in the Imperial Palace on Dec. 20th, His Majesty the Emperor looked back and reflected on Japan's history after World War II, referring to the fact that countless lives were lost in World War II and that the peace and prosperity of post-war Japan was built upon the numerous sacrifices and tireless efforts made by the Japanese.
Under the current Constitution, Japan's Emperor has no power related to government. Moreover, His Majesty the Emperor has long been supposed or expected strongly not to make a political remark or a remark about politics. Therefore, what happened to the following 7 Japanese on this day(Dec. 23rd) 70 years ago is never told by His Majesty the Emperor. What happened to the 7 Japanese men, including 1 civilian, on Dec. 23rd, 1948?
Gen. DOIHARA, Kenji (Aug.8,1883 - Dec.23,1948)
Gen. MATSUI, Iwane (Jul.27,1878 - Dec.23,1948)
Gen. TOJO, Hideki (Dec.30,1884 - Dec.23,1948)
Lt. Gen. MUTO, Akira (Dec.15,1892 - Dec.23,1948)
Gen. ITAGAKI, Seishiro (Jan.21,1885 - Dec.23,1948)
Prime Minister HIROTA, Koki (civilian, Feb.14,1878 - Dec.23,1948)
Gen. KIMURA, Heitaro (Sep.28,1888 - Dec.23,1948)
All the 7 Japanese men were hanged at midnight on Dec. 23rd, 1948 in Sugamo, Tokyo by GHQ of Allied Forces. All the 7 men were hanged for so-called "war crimes" made up after the fact. Dec. 23rd, 1948 is 15th birthday of the present Emperor Akihito. How did His Majesty the Emperor in younger days feel on His 15th birthday?
Let me express my best wishes again for sustained prosperity of the Imperial Family.
